Early Care

As soon as he is born, the midwife will clean any fluid from his nose, mouth and eyes. Once the cord is cut, it will be carefully bandaged. You will be told how to care for the wound at home, the umbilical stump should dry up and fall off within a couple of weeks and the wound heal soon afterwards. Basic medical checks will be carried out to check his heartbeat and reflexes and he will be wiped to remove the last of the greasy white matter, or vernix coating, which protected him in your tummy. Once all that is over, he’s all yours, so make the most of these first few moments.